But when I know that the glass is already broken, every minute with it is precious.
Interpretation
Understanding the impermanence of things makes us value our time with them more.
Ajahn Chah's quote reflects on the nature of impermanence and the importance of appreciating moments as they come. By acknowledging that everything is transient, including our experiences and relationships, we learn to cherish the time we have, making each moment more meaningful, even if it is destined to end.
In practice
In a speech about mindfulness at a corporate retreat, you could use this quote to emphasize the importance of valuing the present moment.
Once you understand non-self, then the burden of life is gone. You'll be at peace with the world. When we see beyond self, we no longer cling to happiness and we can truly be happy. Learn to let go without struggle, simply let go, to be just as you are - no holding on, no attachment, free.
When sitting in meditation, say, "That's not my business!" with every thought that comes by.
If you haven't wept deeply, you haven't begun to meditate.
To observe and watch one's own mind is something really interesting. The untrained mind will run and follow its old habit patterns. Because it has not been trained and taught, it will get lost in all kinds of stories and issues. Therefore we have to train our mind. The meditation practice in Buddhism is all about training one's own mind.
Meditation is like a single log of wood. Insight and investigation are one end of the log; calm and concentration are the other end. If you lift up the whole log, both sides come up at once. Which is concentration and which is insight? Just this mind.
The heart is just the heart; thoughts and feelings are just thoughts and feelings. Let things be just as they are.
The sleeping fox catches no poultry.
Bear in mind, my children, that only cowards and those who are weak commit sin and tell lies. The brave are always moral. Try to be moral, try to be brave, try to be sympathising.
If you haven't met Satan face to face, it's because you are running in the same direction.
Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it.
I have an ambition to write a great book, but that's really a competition with myself. I've noticed that a lot of young writers, people in all media, want to be famous but they don't really want to do anything. I can't think of anything less worth striving for than fame.
I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.
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